Shingle or Not? Making the Move to Self-Employment

In the era of offshoring, right-sizing, and business closings, the question of whether it is time to hang out one's shingle is even more compelling. We have read of countless people being pushed from the corporate nest and declaring it the best thing that could have happened to them. What about now? And what does it take to succeed? Passion is a prerequisite, of course, but it's not all that stands between being a successful consultant or not.